Moallem said that the West was using the chemical weapons argument as a "pretext" under which to launch a military campaign against Syria, which will ultimately serve the interests of both Israel and the Al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, an active faction of the Syrian opposition.

"If this military campaign is meant to morally undermine our people, I believe they are mistaken," Moallem said. "The people of Syria are united together with their armed forces and leadership. This has allowed us to endure. We are prepared to confront the whole world."

Regarding the UN chemical weapons inspectors currently in Syria, Moallem said the government being transparent and open in their dealings with the team. He said the UN unit, which was attacked by sniper fire on Monday, would resume their investigations on Wednesday. He blamed rebels for the delay in proceedings and the attack.

"If they falsely believe that the military strike being planned will undermine our military capabilities currently in eastern Ghouta, I confirm that it will not at all," the minister said.

The Syrian opposition say a nerve gas attack in eastern Ghouta last week killed over 1,300. A UN chemical weapons inspection team, already in the Damascus investigating other claims of chemical weapons, was granted access by the Syrian government to visit the sites allegedly affected by last weeks attacks on Sunday.